Monday, January 4, 2010

"The Silent Governess" Book Review

MY REVIEW: Regency Romance is a new favorite of mine and Julie Klassen is a genius in the style. In "The Silent Governess" she blends deep characters, vivid mystery, luscious settings and beautiful layers of era, language and costuming that roll together and send you back in time.

This book has so much more going for it than just a nice romance. Olivia is fleeing her home after she tries to kill her father as he tries to kill her mother. She is in horrible danger and ends up in jail where she is strangled. She survives but has lost her voice. In the meantime she overhears Edward's awful secret and he is terrified that she is going to spill it, so he basically makes her a servant until he can make sure that his secret is safe. She becomes a nursemaid and then governess for Edward's cousins and in the meantime is trying to find out if her mother is dead or alive.

There are twists and turns in the story that kept me wanting to find out what would happen next to Olivia and Edward. I was very impressed with Julie's writing and style. I plan on searching out the rest of her books as well!

**********************Thank you to Bethany House for my review copy of this book********** ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie says: My background is in advertising and marketing, but I am blessed with a dream job—working as an editor of Christian fiction. I have been writing since childhood, but Lady of Milkweed Manor was my first novel. It was a finalist for a Christy Award and won second place in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards. My second novel, The Apothecary's Daughter, was a finalist in the ACFW Book of the Year awards. I am currently writing one novel a year.

I graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoy travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends.

My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his.

But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything--his reputation, his inheritance, his very home.

He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something.

Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears.

If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of The Silent Governess, go HERE. You can also sign up as a Follower when you get to that page, and get announcements of the first chapters for all the great books we tour!

My Shelfari Bookshelf

About Me

After a long time of struggling with my weight and trying diet after diet I have finally found something that works for me and I want to help others as well.
I have 7 beautiful children that are true gifts from God that are, in part, thanks to my phenomenal husband of 15 years and love of my life - Matt. I own a Christian Dance Studio and I consider that my ministry to children and their families. Dancing is definitely my passion.